Summer break is now halfway over! Are you beginning to run out of fun activities for your kids to do? Today we will give you ideas for indoor and outdoor activities that will keep your kids busy and while they make great memories on the last stretch of these summer days.

Take a Hike!

If you want to get out of the house and go on an adventure, then geo-caching is perfect for your family! Use the GPS and compass apps on your phone to go on a real life treasure hunt. Get the coordinates for caches near you at geocaching.com.

There are so many fantastic hiking trails in the Triangle including the Eno River State Park, Duke Forest, Bolin Creek Trail, Neuse River Trail, Umstead Park and more! Going on a family hike involves less planning than geocaching but is still a fun way to see more of our beautiful state. A color scavenger hunt around your neighborhood or town is another creative way to get exercise and look at familiar places in a different light.

Backyard Fun

If you’re wanting to keep your kids busy in the back yard, then here are some ways that they can play hard and get dirty — without dirtying up your house! Just make sure to hose them down before letting them come back inside. ;-)

Make moon sand in a large bin by mixing together 9 cups of flour and 1 1/4 cups of baby oil. Add cookie cutters, sand castle molds and more to keep your kids entertained for hours.

You can also make bouncing bubbles and break up the day while mixing up an old favorite activity! Simply mix 1 cup distilled water with 1 tablespoon of dish soap and 1 teaspoon of glycerin and use your favorite bubble blowing device. If you want to make giant bubbles, simply 10x the recipe and use cut off old t-shirt sleeves to form bigger bubbles. Who doesn’t love playing with bubbles?

A newspaper snowball fight is a fun way to get some energy out! Just make sure to set ground rules, including clean up, before the “snow ball” fight begins. Then give your kids old newspapers or mail flyers to ball up and have a pretend “snow ball” fight. You can even make a spider web with painter’s tape and have them throw the newspaper balls at the web to see if they can get their newspaper to stick!

Inside Adventures

Stuck inside on a rainy day? Or do you just need extra activities to keep your kids busy during the heat of the day? We’ve got you covered!

Try making a laser beam obstacle course in a hallway or between a large couch and a wall. Your kids will get their energy out while staying occupied in a confined space — that’s a win-win! For longer-lasting results, involve your kids in making the obstacle course, and they’ll be able to fix it when the tape inevitably starts to come off the walls.

Everything is more fun inside of a blanket fort! Whether your kids enjoy reading, playing board games, making Lego creations or more, making a blanket fort in your living room or in their room is a fun way to mix up their environment and make fun memories.

Does your child enjoy baking or playing with playdough? Then try making Jell-O playdough and cookies with just one recipe! If your child loves mixing ingredients, then you should try making rainbow slime. Simply mix equal parts liquid starch and glue together, divide, and add food coloring! If you really want to mix things up, you can add glitter or glow in the dark paint to your slime.

Bonus tip: Make a boredom buster jar filled with these ideas and others! Simply list an activity (or a chore) on a piece of paper and put it in a jar. When your child says, “I’m bored,” you can point them to the jar instead of figuring out what to do on the spot!

It’s almost that time again! The 4th of July is always a great time to celebrate our country’s independence and the freedom that we enjoy year round. What’s a better way to celebrate than by watching fireworks with friends and loved ones?

Today we’ll tell you where the best places to watch fireworks in the Triangle are so that you can pick the location nearest to you!

Downtown Durham

Durham – Durham Bull’s Stadium

The Durham Bull’s Stadium will have fireworks after the games on July 3rd, 4th, 7th and 8th this year. Find this year’s schedule here. Come out and cheer for the Durham Bulls (and Wooly Bull!) and stay after the game to see the fireworks! The stadium will open to the public for free in the 7th inning, so if you’re not up for a whole baseball game, you can catch the end and still get a great seat.

Kenan Stadium

Chapel Hill & Pittsboro – Kenan Stadium

If you’re in Chapel Hill on the 4th, head on over to Kenan Stadium, home of the Tar Heel football team, for the best seats! Doors open at 7pm, and fireworks start at 9:30pm, and there will be a watermelon eating contest, face painting, music and more!

Raleigh – Fayettville St.

Raleigh’s 4th of July celebration lasts all day long! For a fun-filled day, come to Fayettville St. to hear music, watch street and aerial performers, check out the hot dog eating contest, kids’ zone, just to name a few. This event will be held from noon to 11pm. Fireworks will start around 9:30pm!

Make sure that you stay hydrated during these events by drinking plenty of water, and have a plan in place for parking your car before July 4th arrives. Whether you celebrate 4th of July all day or just in the evening for fireworks, you’re sure to have a blast!

This time of year there are so many baby and bridal showers, graduation parties and more! If you’re hosting a big event, here are some steps that you can take to ensure the event’s success…and your peace of mind!

1 Month Before the Big Event

Determine your budget. First decide if you are going to have a simple celebration or bring out all the stops! This will help you to have clarity in every part of the planning process.

Decide on a guest list and send out invitations. Once you’ve figured out who’s coming to your big event, you can invite them by text, email, or with a physical invitation.

Brainstorm party ideas. Make a Pinterest board or jot down notes of your ideas in your phone or in a notebook as they come to you. That way when it’s time to plan, you won’t have to start from scratch!

Decide on a theme and colors for your party. What do you want your guests to feel when they come in your front door? Depending on if you’re having a luau-themed graduation party or a sweet baby girl shower, your decorations will put out either a high-energy or calming vibe.

Plan games or activities to play. Do you want to have hilarious activities for guests to bond with the guest of honor? Is a scavenger hunt in order? Or will your party guests just chat among themselves during the party?

Choose a menu for the special day. For any big event, decide ahead of time what you will provide for drinks, appetizers, a main course and dessert. A brunch bridal shower menu could include mimosas, fruit salad skewers, breakfast casserole and cupcakes. A Father’s Day cookout could include soda, a veggie tray, hamburgers and milkshakes. Have fun choosing a menu that the guest of honor will love!

1 Week Before the Big Event

Buy decorations and paper products.

Buy or order food that you will need for the party.

Check in with anyone who hasn’t RSVP’d to you and confirm your guest list.

1 Day Before the Big Event

Clean your house (or call Carpe Diem!). Decorate your house and move furniture as needed. Set up games and any party favors for the big event!

Pick up last minute food and decorations, especially flowers and balloons.

Finish putting food together, making sure that anything that needs to be defrosted is out of the freezer. Write notes to family members who need a reminder to not to eat the party food. ;-)

The Day of the Big Event

Set out food away from high traffic areas in your kitchen. Make sure that all paper products are in place.

Clear out any last-minute clutter and finish decorating. Put balloons or other decorations up on your mail box. Then double check to make sure that your bathrooms are fully stocked and in order.

Play your party music, light any candles, and get excited for your guests to arrive!

Need help cleaning your house before a big event? Call Carpe Diem at 919-682-5326, or email us at info@carpediemcleaning.comto schedule your deep clean!

St. Patrick’s Day is THIS Friday, and we can’t wait to celebrate! Whether you want to make this St. Patrick’s Day fun for your kids or for you and your significant other (or both!), we’ve got you covered!

Here are the best foods, crafts and sweet treats for you to enjoy this Friday or all weekend long!

Start the Day Off Right

Lucky Charms Pancakes from Betty Crocker

Surprise your kids with Lucky Charms pancakes and milk that’s been dyed green. Print off these place mats (and laminate them to use them for years to come).

You can even make rainbow fruit skewers to go along with breakfast (and make it a little healthier ;-). Simply pick 5 different colors of fruit, put them on skewers, and you’re done!

Craft Time

Leprechaun Paper Plate Mask from abccreativelearning.com

If your children enjoy making crafts, then they’ll love these St. Patrick’s craft ideas! For younger kids, try this marshmallow stamping craft to work on fine motor skills.

Either way, be sure to bake this simple Irish Soda Bread with Orange Cream Cheese to go along with dinner. Don’t skimp on the cream cheese if you’re saving some of the bread for breakfast. With only 3 ingredients, you can be whip it up in just a few minutes! Trust us, you won’t regret it.

If you really want to celebrate this holiday to its fullest, make these Irish Car Bomb Cupcakes. Even though they’re made with Guinness in the batter, whiskey in the ganache and Bailey’s in the frosting, these are surprisingly kid-friendly (though you might want to keep them all for your self).

Want more recipes, decoration tips and more? Check out our St. Patrick’s Day Fun Pinterest page! How will you make St. Patrick’s Day fun this year?

Are you as excited about the Academy Awards as we are?! If you’re looking forward to seeing the gowns, laughing with Jimmy Kimmel, and seeing La La Land win Best Picture (we can hope, right?), don’t do it alone! Here are tons of ideas on how you can throw an Oscar party fit for the stars!

DIY Film Votive from Babble.com

Start off with a Bang

Use this free online official Oscars invitation to invite your friends to party in style. Add some Oscar-themed flair to your house by spray-painting Mason jars or wine bottles gold. Or wrap old film around battery-operated candles or votives to keep the movie theme involved. Keep the wine theme going, and hand out sparkling wine in champagne flutes as your guests arrive.

Show Time!

Let’s be honest, as much as we love the Academy Awards, waiting to see who wins Best Picture can get a little boring somewhere around Best Sound Editing. Oscar Party Bingo can be played throughout the night, and Name that Best Picture can be made once and then recycled year after year and be kept fresh with just a few changes here and there.

Want to keep track of who’s winning which award? Print out this Free Oscar Ballot from bidvine!

Enjoy your Oscar night, and check out our Pinterest Board for even more Oscar Party ideas!

Looking for a new restaurant to take your sweetheart to on that special date night? Here are our favorite restaurants in Durham and the Triangle with delicious food and that killer atmosphere that you and your date will love! Don’t forget to get reservations if you plan on visiting on a holiday or a busy night of the week.

Durham

JuJu 737 Ninth St. #210
$$ – Contemporary Asian tapas
Order several small plates to share with your date! The Braised Beef Short Tip Won Tons are to die for, and try sitting on the patio if the weather allows.

Nana’s 2514 University Dr.
$$$ – Southern Regional Cuisine with European influences
You won’t go wrong if you order the risotto with three types of mushrooms and truffle butter. Nana’s Truffled Chicken Liver pate is another staple in this classic Durham restaurant.

Sushi Love 2812 Erwin Rd. #204
$$ – Sushi rolls and Japanese steak and seafood
You can buy one get one free sushi rolls every day at Sushi Love! The Durham Cares roll and the Sunrise Lava Roll are delicious, and order their Asian Pear martini to go with your meal.

Vin Rouge 2010 Hillsborough Rd.
$$$ – Authentic French cuisine
There’s no place better in the Triangle to eat raw oysters or the hangar steak with blue cheese. The bacon and gruyere macaroni and cheese is impeccable as well!

The Little Dipper 905 West Main St. #21A
$$$ – Local Full-Service Fondue
Try the Surf ‘n’ Turf entrée for two, which includes steak, lobster and ravioli. Finish your night with the Mocha Amaretto fondue with marshmallows, strawberries and more!

Dos Perros 200 North Magnum St.
$$ – Upscale Mexican serving vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free cuisine
Start with the Plantain Fritters, and for dinner go with the Carnitas or Carne Asada! Try the classic Top Shelf Margarita or mix things up with the spicy Hot Guava Margarita.

Raleigh

18 Seaboard 18 Seaboard
$$$ – Contemporary Southern, Locally-Sourced Grill
The menu changes often, but try the Big Rock Yellowfish Tuna or the Black Angus filet mignon if they’re on the menu! You can’t go wrong with the Crème Brûlée of the Day for dessert.

Brasa Brazilian Steakhouse 8551 Brier Creek Pkwy
$$ – Authentic Brazilian Steakhouse and Salad Bar
At this all-you-can-eat steakhouse, put your rock on green if you want more meat, and put it on red if you want to take a break. Try the pork, lamb or steak, and the coconut flan for dessert!

The Pit 328 W. Davie St.
$ NC Whole-Hog, Pit-Cooked Barbeque
Order the pulled pork or ribs, if you know what’s good for you, and enjoy the complimentary hush puppies! Try a local beer on tap to go with your meal.

Chapel Hill

Mint 504 W. Franklin St.
$$ – Contemporary Indian Cuisine
The portions at this restaurant are sizeable, and the garlic naan, tikki masala, or the chicken pasanda are to die for. For dessert, try the delicious gulab jamun!

Lantern 423 W. Franklin St.
$$$ – Award-winning Locally-sourced Asian cuisine
While the menu changes frequently, the Poulet Rouge chicken and crispy whole black bass are worth ordering for dinner. Try the warm chocolate cake for dessert or any of their amazing cocktails!

Carrboro & Pittsboro

Glass Half Full 106 S. Greensboro St., Carrboro
$$ – Contemporary American Kitchen & Wine bar
Start your meal with the charcuterie plate, and then order the duck confit or the crab mac and cheese. Ask your server for recommendations for wine, or bring a bottle home with you from their shop!

Oakleaf 480 Hillsboro St., Pittsboro
$$$ – Sophisticated Farm to Table American Dining
The menu changes constantly, but order the steak or gnocchi if you can! Ask the bartender for drink suggestions to go with your meal or try whichever crème brûlée is on the menu for dessert.

Cary & Apex

Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen 7307 Tryon Rd., Cary
$$ – Local Southern and American Cuisine
Start with the Voodoo Pig Bread, and order the catfish for dinner. Make sure that you order a drink from their extensive wine and local beer list!

Little Hen 5160 Sunset Lake Rd., Apex
$$ – Modern Farm to table American dining
While the menu changes seasonally, the local cheese and meat plate appetizer is always a hit! Try the locally-sourced pork for the main course and add one of their unique cocktails to your meal.

Sushi IWA 2026 Creekside Crossings Dr., Apex
$$ – Sushi Bar and Asian Restaurant
You can buy one get and one free sushi roll every day here, so check out the My Girl roll or any of the salmon rolls. If you’re not interested in sushi, try the bacon fried rice or the Imperial Chicken dish!

So, which one of these fabulous local restaurants will you go to next?

Are you ready to party?! This Sunday is Super Bowl 51, where the Atlanta Falcons will face off against the New England Patriots.

The last time the Falcons made it to the Super Bowl was way back in 1999, so it’s been a long (and often hard) wait. After a rocky start to the season, the Patriots have fought their way back to the big game. Whether you’re cheering for the underdog Falcons or the comeback Patriots, ladies and gentlemen, it is time to get our party on!!

You know Super Bowl parties are all about the food, so check out these mouthwatering menu ideas and get ready to party like a champ!

Looking for some easy, no bake, last-minute gifts for neighbors, teachers, mail-carriers or friends? Look no further! Here are the top ideas for gifts that you can whip together in no time.

Easy Does It!

Here are some super simple gift ideas that you can simplify even further. Don’t have time to make tags for the reindeer noses? Leave them out altogether! Want to skip the sprinkles in the Christmas Crack Chex Mix? Do it!

Mason Jar Reindeer Noses

Make these Mason jars of Reindeer Noses with Whoppers and red gumballs for the noses. Just glue the antlers, googly eyes, and pom pom nose, and you have a cute, delicious present.

Don’t want to make your own gift tags? These are elegant and simple and will go well with many gifts. This round-up post includes templates for gift tags, gift card holders and even winter crafts for the kiddos in your life!

Sweet & Salty Treats

Christmas Crack Chex Mix

If your favorite neighbor or teacher likes sweet and salty treats, then we’ve got you covered! This recipe for Chex Mix Christmas Crack has Bugles, white chocolate, peppermint, and more. Mix your dry ingredients together first, then coat with melted white chocolate, and let dry. Break apart and give away in a cute holiday tin!
Love chocolate and pretzels? Easily make this White Chocolate-Dipped Pretzel recipe by melting white chocolate with a little bit of shortening in a tall glass or container. Dip the pretzel rods halfway in chocolate, sprinkle your favorite sprinkles on and let dry.
These classic Christmas Pretzel M&M Hugs can be made in 30 minutes or less. First, line the pretzels on a baking sheet with the Hugs on top of them and bake. Then put an M&M on top of each Hug and press down. After they have cooled, put them together in a clear gift bag!

Fudge for All

Easy Salted Caramel Fudge

Love to make fudge, but want to give your recipients something they won’t get from anyone else this holiday season? Try these three easy fudge recipes!

Use sweetened condensed milk to make the base of this easy Salted Caramel Fudge. Then pour melted chocolate and sprinkle sea salt on top, and you’re done!
Want a holiday variation on an old favorite? Try this Chocolate Peppermint Fudge made with Andes Mint chips, and add sprinkles to take it to the next level. Ready for something sweet that’s not chocolate?
This non-traditional Gingerbread Fudge will knock your socks off with molasses and seasonal spices. Bonus points if you use a cookie cutter for that adorable gingerbread shape!

Gifts Ready in 5 Minutes!

Cinnamon Roll Rollin’ Gift Tag

And, last but not least, here are the ultimate easy, last-minute gifts for that person who you almost forgot about…

If you want to give something a little less sugary that still packs an aesthetic punch, make a Clementine Wreath! Simply lay out 6 to 8 clementines on a piece of cellophane, wrap up, tie together in a circle, and add a gift tag to complete the gift.

Who doesn’t love cinnamon rolls, especially in the winter?! With the cute (& free) printable, you don’t even need to wrap this gift. Your recipient can enjoy hot cinnamon rolls with minimum effort as a special treat either during the holidays or the first snow of the season.

So which gift (or gifts!) will you give this week?

Still need help getting your house ready for the holidays? We clean houses in Cary-Apex, so give us a call today!

It’s that time of year again! Whether you’re hosting a dinner party for local friends or out of town house guests, here’s a meal plan that will take the stress out of cooking for a crowd. Having loved ones in your home can be a blast if you plan ahead of time, so check out this easy and delicious meal plan to help you enjoy your guests and not be stuck in the kitchen the whole time!

Starters

Pick up your favorite bottle of wine, or try this 3-ingredient Cranberry Vanilla Mimosa as a fabulous cocktail option! Looking for a healthy starter? These adorable Cucumber Tomato Santa Hats are made with cucumbers, grape tomatoes and a mixture of Ranch dressing, cream cheese and mayonnaise. Prep the dressing the day before, and assemble these the day of your party and keep refrigerated until your guests arrive.

Want a hot appetizer for your guests? Try heating up MarthaStewart’s Spinach Dip or this delicious Baked Brie Recipe with pita chips or whole-grain crackers. To make the Baked Brie, spread your favorite jam on top of a wheel of brie. Next, wrap in uncooked crescent rolls, and bake on a pizza stone or baking sheet. You can even put these appetizers in your toaster oven if you’re running out of oven space.

The Main Course

Next, chop your Brussel sprouts and prep your roasted thyme carrots to roast in the oven and mix up the seasoning for the pork tenderloin. Cook the brown rice on the stovetop or rice cooker to go with the dinner. While the tenderloin is cooking, put the Brussel sprouts and carrots on their respective baking sheets. Then, put them in as soon as the tenderloin finishes cooking.

Then, while the vegetables are roasting, the tenderloin should be able to rest so that the meat stays juicy and moist. After 5 to 10 minutes, slice the pork tenderloin and dish up the Brussel sprouts and carrots. Enjoy your easy, fabulous meal with your guests!

The Grand Finale

Finish the night by celebrating with a satisfying dessert! Make sure to make dessert the day before your party or earlier that day so that it will be ready when it’s time for dessert. Serve the simple, yet festive Eggnog Pie or the stunning Chocolate Peppermint Holiday Cake (use meringues from Trader Joe’s or your local grocery store to cut down on the prep time, or leave them out all together!).

Are you ready to party?! This Sunday is Super Bowl 50, where the Carolina Panthers will face off against the Denver Broncos.

The last time the Panthers made it to the Super Bowl was way back in 2004, so it’s been a long (and often hard) wait. But after a truly incredible season, the Panthers have fought their way to the big game–which means, ladies and gentlemen, it is time to get our party on!!

You know Super Bowl parties are all about the food, so check out these mouthwatering menu ideas and get ready to party like a champ!